Article: Minimize Running Programs to Boost Your Available Memory



 

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When programs are installed onto your computer, sometimes the program will auto configure itself to auto start whenever you boot your computer.  What this does is use up some of your memory resources which does have a pronounced effect on your overall speed.  This guide will show you how to inspect your system for startup programs and prevent them from automatically starting during the boot up process.

 








First, I want to make sure that you understand that we are not removing the program.  All we are doing is preventing it from starting when Windows boots up.  It will still open and run when you click on it.



There probably are a few programs that you do want to start up when Windows boots.  For the most part, Im referring to Virus Protection, Spyware Protection, Printer Software and Software that handles the Sound on your computer.


 

Things that you probably don’t want starting are Programs that automatically install a update checker, which boots with Windows and is always running looking for updates.   Updates for programs are typically not critical and they definitely do not occur frequently enough to justify having the update checker run all the time.


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To start, you will want to reboot windows.



Once you have booted up, to check to see what is running, the first place to look is down by your clock.



 








 



You may see a arrow, if you do, click on it to show the hidden programs.



 








 



Each icon is a program that is currently running.  To find out what program the icon represents, simply hover you mouse over each icon.


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Note, that not every program that is running will be displayed here.  



Ok, so now to prevent programs from auto running when Windows Starts there are a few places that we need to check.   To get to the first place, click Start    then All Programs    then Startup   .  



 








 



If there are any programs listed here, that you are listed here that you do not want starting, right click on them and select delete (note that this does not delete the program, it only removes the program from the boot up process).



The get to the other place,



 



Click  




 



 



then  




 


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Type msconfig



 








 



then click








 



Then click on the Startup    tab.  Uncheck the programs that you do not want starting up with windows.   As a rule of thumb, if you aren’t sure what something is, leave it alone.  



 








 



Once you are done, click




Then, this message will pop up:



 








 



Click Restart  



Once your computer has rebooted again, you will see this warning:



 








 



Check Mark the box, “Don’t show this message or launch….”  



Then Click OK    .  Your computer should now be noticeably faster.  (if it was already fast, then you probably wont notice to much difference).


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